Something more organic was called for, he said explaining why he had scoffed at the suggestion years ago that he make the curtains blue velvet. He called that idea perfectly dreadful. He went with a more translucently hand-spun, hand-woven mohair to let the light through them. He chose a more cheerful color palette and seemed pleased with the overall look of them.

The light on them needs to be improved, but that can be fixed, he commented.

Larsens work was commissioned by Kitsap Countys 1 percent for the arts program. It maintains that 1 percent of the budget for county buildings go to fund artwork in the building.

Larsens candor spilled into his 20 minute speech as he remembered his boyhood home in West Bremerton and what has become of the city.

It was an amazing small city in Kitsap County in those days, he said recalling World War II and the population boom it created.

But there were things he wasnt so impressed with during his recent tour of the city.

Kitsap Way is as horrendous as anything imaginable, he said. Trees grow very well here and I think planting a lot of them would help.

About 100 people, many from the arts community, gathered to meet the worldly artist whose career has spanned 50 years. His innovative fabrics have been shown at the Louvre, Chicagos Sears Tower and been purchased by Hollywoods elite. Hes worked in 90 countries and has friends in 100 cities.

Of his work he said,I like the extreme. That middle of the ground is uninteresting to me, he said.

Larsen also was recently awarded the University Of Washington Alumnus of the year.

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